2027: Show What You’ve Done on LG Autonomy in Senate, Adekanmbi Challenges Alli

APM candidate questions APC rival’s legislative record, says governors lack powers to grant autonomy under current legal framework

The governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM) in Oyo State, Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi, has challenged the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Senator Sarafa Alli, to explain his contributions towards achieving local government autonomy during his over three years in the Senate.

Adekanmbi accused Alli, who represents Oyo South Senatorial District, of failing to sponsor any bill aimed at securing local government autonomy, describing his rival’s promises on the issue as politically motivated.

The APM candidate spoke while featuring on Fresh FM Ibadan’s programme, Political Circuit, where he questioned the legislative record of the former chairman of Ibadan North Local Government.

“This my egbon, who is saying he is the champion of local government autonomy, has been in the Senate for over three years, but he has no single bill to that effect,” Adekanmbi said.

He argued that politicians seeking elective offices should explain the practical steps they intend to take to achieve local government autonomy rather than make promises to secure votes.

Adekanmbi also faulted the suggestion that a state governor could independently grant local governments financial and administrative autonomy, arguing that the existing legal framework required legislative amendments and executive action to implement the Supreme Court’s 2024 judgment on the matter.

According to him, the judgment requires constitutional and legislative adjustments to address outstanding implementation issues.

“Governor Seyi Makinde does not have the power to implement local government autonomy. No state governor in Nigeria has the power to grant local government autonomy, because the law of Nigeria, as it stands now, is in favour of JAAC,” he said.

He explained that the Joint Allocation Accounts Committee (JAAC) arrangement emerged from concerns over disparities in the financial capacity of urban and rural local governments, particularly in meeting salary and pension obligations.

The APM candidate said that during the military era, when local governments enjoyed a form of autonomy, some urban councils struggled to pay salaries and pensions because of their large workforce and financial obligations, while some rural councils were in a better position to meet their commitments.

He specifically cited Ibadan North Local Government, where Alli previously served as chairman, alleging that the council experienced salary arrears and accusing the former chairman of poor financial management.

Adekanmbi further alleged that a report had indicted Alli over the management of the council’s finances. He challenged the APC candidate to explain his record in office and respond to the allegations.

The claims could not be independently verified from the information provided.

Adekanmbi outlines four questions

Explaining how he would approach local government administration if elected governor, Adekanmbi said he would focus on addressing the practical challenges associated with financial autonomy rather than promise an outcome he believed was beyond a governor’s unilateral powers.

He identified four questions that, according to him, must be addressed: what happens when allocations are insufficient to cover salaries and pensions; how fiscal responsibility and transparency would be guaranteed; how local government chairmen would be prevented from abusing their powers; and what would happen if federal allocations stopped.

The APM candidate said his administration would ensure that residents had a say in how funds meant for their communities were spent.

“I have done my third local government tour and I listen to people, listen to their demands, part of which is that the local government chairmen should be freed,” he said.

He added that any credible plan for local government autonomy must consider the financial sustainability of councils, accountability mechanisms and safeguards against the misuse of public funds.

Adekanmbi, however, maintained that the legal framework must be addressed before the proposed autonomy could be fully implemented.

“I am saying it live that anybody that comes and says that he wants to grant local government autonomy is mercilessly telling lies to get their votes because they know that is what they want to hear, but I will not go and promise people local government autonomy,” he said.

He challenged Alli to explain how he intended to achieve local government autonomy if elected governor and to account for his performance as chairman of Ibadan North Local Government.

The statement was issued by Yinka Oladoyinbo, Director of Communication and Spokesperson for the Oyo State APM Governorship Campaign Council.